bigh123

Hi All,

I saw an article on the 2013 XTS recently.
I am 31. After driving the GS, e350, and M37x, I picked the e350.
However, I am looking into the XTS since I love trying new things and giving anything a chance. The CUE infotainment system is really advanced with a large capactive multi-touch screen. They also have what they call a mag-lev type suspension, and automatic stopping a low speeds using radar and/or ultrasonic sensors. For a tech lover like myself, it is enough for me to go test drive one.

Check it out:

http://www.cadillac.com/xts-luxury-sedan.html

I know they are calling the XTS a full sized, but at its price point it competes and actual size it will compete with the e350. Any thoughts?

BenzV12

Cadillac stopped making cars since 1996

XTS should be compared to W221 but I would prefer W221 styling , I just dislike the way newer Cadillacs look
I think W212 is the better car than any other car you can meet ,this goes for W212 vs XTS as well

I don't like they way these cars are named either . What the heck is XTS . I would like to hear Deville, Fleetwood , Fleetwood Brougham instead

BenzMan369

"El Dorado"

Back in the days "when men were men" and expensive cars were youthful dreams.......

BenzV12

I knew I forgot something lol
But at least you get the idea

hyperion667

now THAT'S a leadsled!!

RobbieRob

CUE system is pretty cool, and dash guage interface, but I cringed when I seen BOSE on the speaker grill,,,,Horrible,, and the exterrior styling is very boring.

RNBRAD

It needs some horns!!

K-A

That thing is butt a$$ ugly, IMO. Looks like a geriatric penned retirement appropriate aesthetic with some "futuristic detail" makeup on to try and disguise that.

dfordham

I rather like it. I thought the CTS was a good change of direction for Caddy but they overdid it a bit. This is a toned-down version of that design language and looks much better to me.

Also the technology sounds great.

Of course I am a geriatric retiree.

Regards,
Don

bigh123

I am not crazy about the look. The technology is cutting edge for a car. The e350 has awesome safety the features, but it is behind with the interior tech (compared to the GS350 and i've heard possibly the 5 series).

It is enough for me to go drive it.

hofb99

hofb99

But you are circa-30, correct, K-A? To be expected...although I find it refreshing that a lot of the younger generation actually appreciates some of the old school stuff... But you are entitled to your opinion, of course...

RJC

From what I've see so far I like it, although for such a large car it should have had a higher output engine; I'm sure they'll be a V8 option at one point. Remember this car replaced the DTS so it's come a very long way. I'll reserve finally judgement until I can see it in the flesh and drive one. I'm not a big fan of front wheel drive and all wheel drive is unnessecary in many places. Why didn't they just do rear wheel drive as a base?

K-A

Yeah, the tech is probably gonna be great.

Hahaha, you're last line totally got me to LOL.

I don't love the CTS, but I like it more than this design actually. The FWD proportions on such a big car just totally spoil any hope for a "sexy" architecture IMO (not to mention how it'll drive due to that). Also, the CTS has the solid "3-Box" Sedan look while this "XTS" has what is becoming increasingly typical in terms of greenhouse look.... I don't know what to call it, but it's where the greenhouse extends back further than the rear doors, and you have that little (IMO ugly) quarter window cutting into the C-Pillar. I have this weird prejudice against those types of designs (Audi have always had it, and Ford have been a staple of it), something about them looks very "homely" to me.

I had an '08 Malibu and it treated me VERY well. I put on 30K miles (bought it with 20K, sold it with over 50K), rarely ever washed it, beat it, parked it outside, and sold it 2 years later for just $200 under what I paid for it (I got it for "'08 recession prices, so it's not a totally fair statement). So I have a high trust and expectation for the durability and appliance level of a NEWER GM product.

Yessir.

And I LOVE the old-school stuff. I have a high appreciation for the soul and quality of classic and vintage art. I love nothing more than new cars that look like Classic Cars in TASTEFUL ways (I actually only buy cars like that, I require some form of tasteful heritage evolving), but when I say the car looks "retirement", I don't mean that all "old people" will like it or should like it, I mean in the sense of those 90's Caddy's, where it literally looks like it's "supposed to look like what you'd expect an 'old persons' stereotypical car to look like".

BenzMan369

steelgrey

I mean in the sense of those 90's Caddy's, where it literally looks like it's "supposed to look like what you'd expect an 'old persons' stereotypical car to look like".

K-A...I would assume that your referring to the DTS. I owned a 1996 Eldorado and it was a great car. Loved the big ole Northstar sitting sideways upfront. Had a very luxurious leather and wood accented interior. The Eldorado was not an "old persons" car.

Just for the record the wheelbase of the XTS is shorter than the E Sedan so handling should be much the same. However, over the rough stuff it will probably not be as harsh as your sport suspension.

K-A

.....Unfortunately I don't think any Luxury Car suspension is as rough over the rough stuff than my cars suspension.

Some people say that the E is for "old people"..... That suspension is proof that it isn't! I'm getting over the 30 hump and my bones can't even take it.

RJC

Have you tried reducing your air pressures?

Front wheel drive will kill this new caddy in any handling testing

steelgrey

The XTS will also be offered in 4 wheel drive.

WEBSRFR

Wow. I am impressed. Two things that might keep me from considering this are reliability and build quality. I've driven a few late model Cadillacs as rentals and have found annoying rattles in some of them when they are barely one year old. If they get the build quality and reliability right it seems to be superior to the W212 in many aspects -- "there's nothing better than Mercedes and there could never ever be anything better than Mercedes Kool-Aid" notwithstanding

The Cue interface appears to be a generation or two ahead of the Mercedes interface. The main IC display seems actually better and more refined than what you get even in the S class. I love how fluid the animations are and how you can configure it.

The parking aids are incredible when parking in tight garages and more manufacturers should integrate automatic breaking with the front and rear sensors.

Also the adjustable magnetic suspension seems to be better than Airmatic. I dread the day I get my car to find the Airmatic system crapped out leaving the car undrivable and me stranded wherever that happens to be. The magnetic suspension seems to be more of a solid state implementation that uses electricity and magnetic power so it should be less likely to fail compared to an air bladder. I sometimes go camping and if my Armatic ever craps out when I'm some place with no cell phone reception and the car is too low to drive, I'd be screwed.

I think anyone considering a W212 should definitely check out the XTS. Nothing to loose.

Personally I still prefer the E class but Mercedes is falling behind and has some catching up to do. Hopefully the facelift/update coming up will be be substantial enough to address the increasing technology and feature disparity and driver interface shortcomings when compared to Cadillac, BMW, and Audi.

ImInPA

And let us not forget the Continental Mark III. I was torn between the Eldorado and Mark III. Sheesh...just the hood on those cars was almost as long as my E. Of course, in the mid 70's it was important that your car be large enough to suspend a disco ball from the dome light.

mitaka

you are comparing an OPEL vs Mercedes Benz... Really... that is exactly what it is... A good car but not in the same class.

WEBSRFR

That's what the American auto industry said when the Japanese came along and look what happened...

It's never a good idea to sit on your laurels basked in an aura of superiority and invincibility while others innovate... Mercedes has their work cut out for them and for all our sakes hope they do well so we can all benefit in having better designed cars!

vdubpower

they keep delaying the launch of it. ive been waiting a while to go check one out

was thinking of gettin my dad one, he needs a big floaty car, like he used to have with his 83 eldorado.
his driving and his back have gotten worse since having a 94 STS and a variety of mercs.

in terms of size, it is more in between the E and S

they say the trunk is town car size, bigger than S , A8, 7 series

mitaka

I have driven many Japanese cars. Considered even buying the new Lexus GS... till I drove one... Yes it is reliable and has cool electronics. That's about it. Exterior and interior design have a long way till they catch up to MB, BMW, AUDI or even the new Jaguars.